Stacked Data Podcast Cognify

Data Contracts have gained a huge amount of traction over recent years as Data teams strive to increase the quality of their offering.

This week on Stacked Data podcast I had the pleasure of taking a deep dive into the world of data contracts with none other than Andrew Jones, the Principal Engineer at GoCardless and the pioneer behind this transformative concept.

If you haven't heard of Data Contracts they bring several significant benefits to a data team and their data management practices, including:

Improved Data Quality

Standardisation and Consistency

Scalability

Data Governance

Facilitates Data Monetization

🔍 Episode Highlights:

* Introduction      to Data Contracts: Andrew kicks off our episode with a basic      understanding of what data contracts are and how they revolutionise GoCardless      approach to data management.
* Why      Data Contracts?: Discover the crucial role data contracts play in      today's complex data landscape and why Andrew felt compelled to develop      them.
* Benefits      Unveiled: Learn about the substantial advantages data contracts bring      to data governance, integrity, and management practices.
* Real-World      Impact: Andrew shares compelling examples from his experiences at      GoCardless, illustrating the significant improvements data contracts have      facilitated.
* Addressing      Common Data Challenges: Find out how data contracts can solve      prevalent issues like data inconsistency and quality concerns.
* Implementation      Insights: Gain practical strategies and tips for integrating data      contracts into your data management processes, alongside the best tools      and cultural shifts required for success.
* Overcoming      Obstacles: Hear about the common challenges organizations face when      adopting data contracts and the solutions to overcome them.
* Future      Perspectives: What does the future hold for data contracts? Andrew      shares his vision for adapting to upcoming data management trends and      opportunities.
* Final      Thoughts: Before we wrap up, Andrew imparts some invaluable advice for      anyone considering data contracts as part of their data strategy.

Andrew Book: Driving Data Quality with Data Contracts: A comprehensive guide to building reliable, trusted, and effective data platforms: Amazon.co.uk: Jones, Andrew: 9781837635009: Books [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Driving-Data-Quality-Contracts-comprehensive/dp/1837635005/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1187474295122222&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uDYXwhPxoae-G1kTCMAlWTf0zgFrbpZNvGOGuKyNsyw.WI26H3mqHOhMl_hMw-Km4gaeOrkyRl00z8rF6GHc0bw&dib_tag=se&hvadid=74217345298573&hvbmt=bb&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=40877&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=b&hvtargid=kwd-74217415972160%3Aloc-188&hydadcr=24434_2219261&keywords=data+contracts+andrew+jones&qid=1715757692&sr=8-1]

Navigating Data Transformation in Traditional Organisations: Insights from Matt Webb [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-webb-9090b8a7/], CIO


As the modern data stack continues to evolve, traditional organisations are embarking on journeys to unlock the full potential of their data assets. Join us in our latest podcast episode as we delve into this fascinating topic with Matt Webb, the CIO at UK Power Networks [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ukpowernetworks/].


🔍 Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode:
• 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭: Get to know Matt, his background, and his pivotal role in leading UK Power Networks' data transformation journey.

• 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐊 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬: Discover the mission and significance of UK Power Networks and their ambitious goals in decarbonising the UK and achieving NET ZERO targets.

• 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Explore the motivations behind UK Power Networks' data transformation project and the technologies being leveraged, including cloud migration and Databricks [https://www.linkedin.com/company/databricks/].

• 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Learn how cloud migration and Databricks play a crucial role in UK Power Networks' mission to decarbonise the UK and reach NET ZERO targets.

• 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬: Hear firsthand about the biggest challenges faced within data management and the strategies employed to overcome them.

• 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚: Gain insights into Matt's vision for the future of data at UK Power Networks and the anticipated advancements in data management and analytics.


Tune in to gain exclusive insights from Matt Webb and learn how traditional organisations like UK Power Networks are navigating the complexities of data transformation to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

In our latest episode of The Stacked Data podcast, I'm joined by Veronica Saha, Head of Analytics at Zoopla (part of Houseful), as she shares real-world examples and strategies on data monetization.

In 2024, data teams need to evolve beyond being mere support functions; they must become strategic drivers. Many data teams have struggled to show/prove their true value. The monetisation of data comes in many different forms, however, it's clear that raw data is not valuable on its own.

Data only hold value as insight driving decisions. It needs to be packed into a PRODUCT!

We discuss the need to treat data as a product in order to effectively implement a monetisation strategy.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

1. Defining      Data Monetization: What exactly do we mean by 'data monetisation'?      When is the right time to think about it? How can data create business      value?
2. Identifying      Opportunities: How do you identify areas for data monetization? What's      the role of technical architecture in this process?
3. Building      a Revenue-Focused Team: Challenges and considerations in building a      team focused on generating revenue through data products.
4. Feedback      Loops and Continuous Improvement: Establishing effective feedback      loops and optimizing data products for better monetization outcomes.
5. Securing      Leadership Buy-In: Challenges in securing sign-off and budget from      leadership.
6. Common      Challenges and Lessons Learned: Insightful lessons from Zoopla's      journey in overcoming challenges in data monetization.

In the digital era, where data is the new gold, understanding how to unlock its full potential is crucial.

For data to be truly valuable it needs to be actionable, across the industry we are seeing a change in mindset to see "Data as a Product"

That's precisely what we dive into in our latest podcast episode featuring the brilliant @Mohit, Director of Data Platforms at @Collison. With a vast experience in leading transformative data projects, Mohit shares his invaluable insights on why and how businesses need to shift their mindset to view "data as a product."

🔍 In This Episode, You'll Discover:

* The      Evolution of Data Management: How companies are revolutionizing their approach to data through cloud infrastructure and modern tools.
* Mohit's      Journey: An overview of Mohit's impressive career and his pivotal role at Collinson, driving significant data transformation.
* The      Core of Innovation: Understanding Mohit's mission for data at      Collinson and how it aligns with the broader vision of treating data as a cornerstone for value creation.
* Decoding      'Data as a Product': A deep dive into what this concept means and why it's becoming increasingly important in today's data-centric world.
* The      Catalyst for Change: Insights into the mindset shift towards seeing data as a product and the intrinsic value this perception brings.
* Strategies for Implementation: Practical examples and strategies from Mohit's playbook on fostering this mindset change within organizations.
* Fostering      Collaboration: Tactics for encouraging cross-functional collaboration      to maximize data's value across the business spectrum. 
* Overcoming      Challenges: An honest look at the hurdles in treating data as a product and strategies to navigate these challenges effectively.
* Measuring      Success: How to quantify this transformative change and the key performance indicators (KPIs) that signal progress and success.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone keen on unlocking the true value of data in their organization and pioneering a culture that treats data not just as a resource, but as a product with its own lifecycle, value proposition, and customer base.

Self-serve BI was one of the trailblazers for the modern data stack. The ability to allow business stakeholders to not only see reports but also start exploring their own data was truly a seismic shift in data.

What is next for BI?

Join me in the latest episode of the Stacked Data podcast as I sit down with Collin Zima, the Co-founder and CEO of Omni, for an insightful discussion on the future of Business Intelligence.

🚀 About Colin:

Collin Zima's journey from an early Google employee to leading data teams at Hoteltonight before eventually becoming the Chief Analytics Officer and VP of Product at Looker gives him a unique perspective on the evolution of BI. Now, as the driving force behind Omni, he's shaping the next generation of BI solutions.

🔍 Dive into  Next GenBI with Us:

In this episode, we explore:

The primary purpose and value of BI

Challenges facing the BI sector and strategies to overcome them

Omni's innovative approach and key focus points

The importance of a customer-centric approach in building BI solutions

Future trends and advancements shaping the BI landscape

Tune in as Collin shares his experiences, insights, and advice for organisations navigating the complex world of BI in today's competitive landscape.

Colin's message was clear to me, he and Omni doesn't seek to rewrite the BI script but to refine it!

🎙️ In this week's episode of @the stacked data podcast, we dive deep into the world of data modelling and uncover strategies for success with our special guest Nieves Gorriti the Head of Data and Insights The Dot Collective

Here's a sneak peek into the insightful discussion:

🔍 Introduction to Data Modelling:

What exactly is data modelling, and why is it crucial for effective data management? Nives provides expert insights into this fundamental aspect of the data lifecycle.

🛑 Common Pitfalls and Challenges:

Discover the common pitfalls organisations face in the data modelling process and learn how to avoid them to ensure smooth data operations.

🔑 Importance of Data Modelling:

Uncover the pivotal role of data modelling in driving successful data-driven initiatives within organisations, along with real-life examples demonstrating its impact.

🔧 Guiding Through the Process:

Nives shares invaluable advice and practical tips for enhancing your data modelling skills and provides a step-by-step guide to approaching data modelling successfully.

🔄 Balancing Flexibility and Standardization:

Learn how to strike the right balance between flexibility and standardisation in data modelling to meet business demands while maintaining data integrity.

🤝 Adapting to Evolving Data Environments:

Explore strategies for adapting data modelling strategies to accommodate the ever-evolving data landscape, including new technologies and data sources.

Don't miss out on this conversation! Tune in now to Stacked Data Podcast to gain valuable insights into mastering data modelling for organisational success. 🎧